During this time alone up north, I’ve felt the need to stay busy. Much of my time has been spent reading, making meals, relaxing, and reflecting. But, I’ve also been able to accomplish some much-needed projects.

One of the projects I’ve wanted to work on for some time now has been to cut a new trail through the woods. There was a narrow animal path there, but branches would grab at you, and bugs would swarm you. Not a very fun experience, in my opinion.

So, armed with my Harbor Freight machete, I began bushwhacking my way through. The first day, I got all the way to the muddy brook of water that splits our two wetlands.

In an attempt to cross that low spot, and to continue the path, I laid some logs down to act as a sort-of bridge to walk on through the mud, for it was the quickest way to get from point A to point B. Nothing left but to test it. And, as you can imagine, it didn’t work… at all. I was able to go about 4 steps and then ended up with both feet up to my ankles in mud. Hmmm, back to the drawing board.

The next day, I saw the land bridge that was there, a bit beyond where I ended yesterday, and so had to forge a path to reach it. It took extra work since the animals didn’t use that way (they just trudge through the mud, apparently), but I was able to get through.

I hooked back up with the animal path on the other side of the water and continued on until I ran out of steam. The path ended up being about 106 yards and about the width of two lawn mower passes. I can’t wait for my kids to explore it next time they are up at the land.

As fun as this path is, though, it isn’t smooth sailing. There are high spots, and low spots, exposed roots, and muddy water hazards. Not to mention loose dirt and random sticks to slip on. Now, it’s hard enough to walk during the day. I can’t imagine what it would be like during the night.

But, you know, the same could be said about life too. Life isn’t always smooth sailing. Life has high spots, and low spots, and it is littered with things to trip you up. And as difficult as it is to walk at times, it’s even harder in the dark… alone… and with no map.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” In John 1, Jesus is called the Word made flesh–the living embodiment of God’s message of love, forgiveness, and salvation. And it is Jesus who is the one who lights our paths even in (especially in) our darkest days and in the most slippery of terrain.

With Jesus, listening to Him speak into our lives through the words of Scripture, we can see a way forward in life. We’ll still encounter the pitfalls and trip-ups of life, but will also be able to navigate around them. And when (not if, but when) we fall, Jesus will also there to pick us back up, dust us off, and help us regain our footings.

Walking the path of life can be hard, but I couldn’t imagine how much harder it would be without Jesus illuminating our path.